Prevention of Allergies in Children

Vast literature has emerged from several scientific studies, but the results are complex and not uniform for precise clinical strategy to intervene allergic march.

Even then some remedies that have jumped the rigorous scientific evidence based evaluation are targeting the needy confused anxious parents with inappropriate claims.

Till date the only recommended evidence based guidelines are:

1. Breastfeeding, preferably exclusive for first 4 months of life. By exclusive breastfeeding I mean that one should avoid introducing any infant formula, cow’s milk or any other food to the baby below 4 months of age.

3. Introduce complementary foods in infant’s diet at around 6 months of age in addition to ongoing mother’s milk feeds.

4. Dietary vitamin supplements have the capacity to alter immune response.And it is a common practice to use vitamin drops from early months of life. It is noteworthy that clinical studies done to evaluate the effect of vitamin supplementation during infancy show increase in the risk of asthma and food allergies in children.

7. Dietary DHA and EPA (N-3long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) have significant influence on immune system modulation: Both inherent and adaptive immune mechanism involved in the initiation and persistence of allergic disease. Therefore optimal DHA intake during pregnancy and lactation offers an effective primary prevention of allergies for high risk infants.

8. Antioxidant rich foods, optimal vitamin E, fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, minerals when taken during pregnancy have potential positive influence in evolution of fetal immune system. Thereby the risk of allergic diseases is reduced during infancy and early childhood. 9. Supplements of probiotics and prebiotics through natural foods in the diet of pregnant women reduce the chances and the severity of infantile eczema even in high risk infants. However, similar benefit has not been consistently documented in other childhood allergies.

10. No conclusive scientific evidence has yet been found for the common belief that reactivity to food allergens has its onset during fetal development as a consequence of antigen load in mother’s diet. Nor do restrictions in diet of lactating mother’s prevent food allergy in her baby.

Nevertheless, avoidance of high allergen food proteins like fish, egg and cow’s milk during pregnancy and lactation diminishes the chances of infantile eczema, particularly in high risk infants. But the benefit of such restrictions in mother’s diet have to be weighed its ill effect on mother’s health.

14. Drugs: Frequent use of acetaminophen, commonly known as paracetamol, increases risk of allergies in children. Moreover, children who receive more than 2 antibiotic courses during infancy have higher chances of food allergies.